Tag Archives: Subluxation

One year down, two years and 1/4 remains. As I reflect back over the last 12 months/4 quarters of school. I can say that time went by very quickly, I learned a tremendous amount of information, lost 60lbs, and began to think more like a doctor (of Chiropractic). I am proud of my decision on attending Chiropractic School… I almost signed up for Pharmacy School… Long story, and i’ll share one day soon.

Being in School and attending outside seminars has benefited me greatly, I have a better understanding of functional nutrition, the various techniques of chiropractic, and associated protocols utilized in patient diagnostics. Its difficult to explain, but it seems like my perspective and mindset has changed. I am more detailed oriented, more hungry to learn, and more eager to utilize my knowledge to help my neighbors, friends, and family in need. I feel like I am transforming into a detailed oriented Doctor of Chiropractic, ready to analyze (not over analyze) and find the underlying issue and potentially fix it… or point my patient in the necessary direction. I am excited for what the next two years and 1/4 will expose me to, and all that I will learn.

My life has changed for the better since I started school, I dropped weight, became more athletic, my attitude is positive which is all a very exciting process.

I started taking Neurology Courses at the Carrick Institute of Neurology, I have only taken one module thus far, however, it seems promising… I think I learned more in one seminar than I did in one month of Neurology at school. I found it so interesting that I can’t stop learning about it because I understand the significance.

I have been attending FCA seminars and listening to Dr. Vasquez DC ND DO lecture on functional nutrition, which has been a huge influence on my learning as far as the potential of proper/poor diet, supplementation, life style changes, and the positive/negative outcomes that all may bring.

I spent the past year attending clubs during school hours which offered topics such as Motion Palpation club, so I can work on my hand work and palpation techniques. I have attended Gonstead Club, where we practice Gonstread Adjustment Techniques. I have attended Upper Cervical Club, where we learned about some history and technique as it relates to the upper cervical specific adjustment, which is said to be one of the most powerful and specific adjustment any chiropractic professional (with the proper EXTRA training) could utilize.

As far as studying goes, I utilized my studying time to understand the material, rather than memorize for the tests. I found that by studying to understand, and then Google the material studied and view it in alternate forms enabled me to gain a better understanding of concept, which I feel will benefit me and patients in the long run. I performed above average in my courses, and found myself always asking questions in class, and even raising my hand to argue a few points.

I enjoyed this fist year of Chiropractic School and am looking forward to the next.

So, break started today, my last final ended at 9am. What will I do for the next 11 days??

Well, for today, and Friday, I will relax by the pool, exercise, eat well, and read leisurely in subjects on Functional Nutrition, and Neurology.

On Saturday and Sunday I have Module 2 of Carrick Institute of Neurology.

Then, I will visit Family on Monday through Thursday in Boca Raton, Florida.

Friday I will make my way to Georgia for a Grostic Upper Cervical Seminar/ Module to learn more about this technique. I want to see how I like the technique, and potentially get certified in it to expand my foundation on upper cervical care…because it is said to be a very powerful adjustment.

My goal is learn as much as I can in class, and outside of class. It is important to know all you can so you can help as many as you can. I don’t set limits on myself as far as how much I will learn, I let the limits try to find me… if they can.

I created another page (above) that includes some of the books written on Chiropractic Philosophy, Science, and Art. These books are intended for Students of Chiropractic and Chiropractors of today and yesterday.

Learned how the body regulates fluids, like blood, urine, and interstitial fluid via the kidneys and associated structures. Exam on that next week…

Radiology last week, we were introduced to analyzing lumbar and hip x- rays. I enjoy that class. 12 students to 1 professor ratio…good odds, if you want to learn your stuff.

Technique class: This quarter we are focusing on the Lumbar (lower back) and hips. So far the techniques we are learning utilize the Hy- Lo table and Knee Chest piece. We learned Double Thumb and Single hand adjustments. We were introduced to side posture, but I have a feeling there will be much more…It is very important to learn proper technique!

Take a look at some of these clips, and notice the patient’s positive reaction… Find your local Chiropractor and go get checked.

Don’t put off for tomorrow, what you can do today, because tomorrow you will want to do something that you could have done, if you didn’t put off yesterday’s task.

As a student of Chiropractic, one of the most important things you can do is attend as many seminars as possible. The seminars may pertain to, ‘Chiropractic Philosophy’ “how to run a business” or even about another Chiropractor speaking about his/her own practice and the journey he went through. To listen to someone who has been through school and out in the real world is priceless information that will help gear your thought processes to success (hopefully).

Most of these type of seminars are FREE, however, you will come across many that charge $. You will have decide how valuable that particular seminar is by asking around, ask people who may have went to that seminar in the past (usually upper class men). Usually technique and adjustment seminars charge a pretty penny.

Speak to your school clubs that deal with technique, ask them to put on a seminar for technique and charge 5$ for fundraiser for their club. That is a good way to learn a lot, for a low price, as opposed to having a major technique guy/business fly to your area and charge $200 + for the same thing. School clubs are more often then not run by students for the students, so don’t be afraid to present them with ideas like this, they will appreciate it. If not, then they are part of the club for the WRONG reasons.

Remember, what you learn in school, clubs, seminars will all add your treatment tool box. The worse thing in the world (can only imagine) is to have a patient come to you and you have no idea what to do.

5 weeks ago I began listening to only classical and Frank Sinatra- type music and have noticed the following changes in emotion and motivational drive to exercise and work out. The results are the following:

Prior to making the musical change I predominantly listened to Rock, Rap, Hip Hop music because I thought it kept me motivated to exercise and be more attentive + aggressive toward daily life, including hard workouts. Since I made the change,my assertiveness( intellectual curiosity) towards life and education has increased immensely. However, my drive to exercise and really get a hard work out has dropped significantly. I attribute this to the emotions/feelings related to rap music/and rock, when compared to mellow classical/ Frank Sinatra- Type music.

This morning, I played rap music /rock music and it made me want to go work out hard. While, there may be several other variables contributing to these emotions and feelings, including but not limited to nutrition, daily schedule, environment, etc. I am asserting that the music plays a more immediate role in behavior compared to most other factors. However, all are important.

Therefore,after blasting rock and rap music this morning, I am pumped to go exercise hard. Then, when I return home, I will switch to classical and Frank Sinatra-type music to induce an increased drive to learn and study.

The first week of 4th quarter just ended. This quarter I should be fluent on everything within the anterior abdomen, including every organ (anatomy, physiology, and pathology) including the genitourinary and gastrointestinal system. I should know and understand how to perform physical exams with regards to the organs and their connected systems. I will learn how to set up for an adjustment of the lumbar spine and hips; I will learn when to adjust… and when not to adjust. I will also learn more on microbiology, including, but not limited to bacteria, viruses and their related pathologies and clinical manifestations.
I’m truly enthusiastic about Chiropractic school. They are training us to be a doctor of the body. I am confident that with what I learn in school (and definitely on my own) that I will be able to help a wide scope of people. I made a good decision to become a Doctor of Chiropractic.

This evening there was a speaker who was invited to lecture on his career as a chiropractor. The auditorium was full, my school served dinner prior to. The speakers held everyone’s attention for almost 2 hours. Hard to believe that after tonight’s talk that I was even more inspired to be involved with such a profession. He spoke about the significance of proper nutrition and diets to maintain health and prevent imbalances that lead to other harmful pathologies. He was passionate and confident about the main philosophy of chiropractic and its true clinical outcomes. He seemed very honest, straight forward, and intelligent. I think that’s one several variables that contribute to a successive chiropractor.

Anyway, it’s Friday… I was going to ‘relax’ and watch a movie. However, I am too pumped up to sit around… I am studying the GI, GU, and maybe , Microbiology.

First course will cover the Anterior Abdomen and its contents within, as in organs, tissues, cells and the blood supply, innervation, and common pathologies therein. Also, we will be learning history taking, diagnostics, and examinations as it relates to this area. Our professor seems great, very knowledgeable and enthusiastic. She calls on everyone, and anyone throughout the class.

Next, we had subluxation theory course. This course will review how peripheral nervous system, spinal cord and tracts, neurogenic inflammation, and neuroimmunological factors relate to the subluxation complex.

If you don’t know what subluxation is, the WHO definition (via Wikipedia) of the chiropractic vertebral subluxation is:

“A lesion or dysfunction in a joint or motion segment in which alignment, movement integrity and/or physiological function are altered, although contact between joint surfaces remains intact. It is essentially a functional entity, which may influence biomechanical and neural integrity.”

Our last class today is called, Genitourinary physiology and pathology. So, it will review concepts like the different types of fluid within our bodies, how they may be affected by various hormones, diet, and disease with regards the kidney at its associated counterparts. I’ll fill you in as I learn more.

I have had my Facebook Page, www.facebook.com/TheChiropractorStudent since I started Chiropractic school. It has been great, I feel like I am reaching quite a few people on there. However, Facebook is not a blog, it is a page. I have been corrected time after time for calling it a blog. So, here it is… I did it!

This is the first post of many to come, on my first “real” blog…

Always True,

The Chiropractor Student

P.S. Quarter 4 starts tomorrow… I’ll let you know.

P.P.S. Thank you Dr. Knox, the last and final person to tell me to start a real blog.